good luck in Zurich

[Nigel]

David Vine stands in front of camera with best sheepskin coat and huge microphone, whilst snowy pistes and pretty mountain hamlets glisten invitingly in perfect sunshine behind him.

Cue inspirational, if now somewhat dated, 'Ski Sunday' music. Music finally fades.


Well, viewers, we're looking forward to another great weekend of sport. Here I am today, in the unpicturesque yet uniquely convivially concrete French Alpine resort of Flaine, where the truly great Gallic skiers such as Jean-Claude KIlly and Luc Alphand have probably never actually even set foot, let alone ski boot (more irrelevant intro drivel on p.297 ...).

I've managed to locate myself ideally between the two legendary marathon cities for a spot of altitude training as well as for a vital local conditions update.

The bad news is that torrential rain in the Alps has confined the Platt Family Skiers to barracks this morning. The good news is that the weather is set to clear for Saturday (when sadly, of course we'll all be heading for home) to leave perfect conditions for our two British hopefuls in their marathon quests ahead this weekend.

All the best for a fantastic run this Sunday, Andy and Ashley. If dedication and unswerving commitment to the sport were any measure of predicting success, then ...



... the cuckoo clocks on Bahnhofstrasse and the cafes of the Champs Elysees will surely be looking down on Guinness and champagne celebrations by mid-afternoon on Sunday.

Schoeni Lauf, Zaeme, et bon foot tout le monde !


Right then - now where did I put those trainers and my rainjacket ... ?